Food safety scare shuts Alberta processing facility

Edmonton, Alta. – The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has temporarily suspended the operating licence for Establishment 231, Capital Packers Inc., in Edmonton.

According to the CFIA, “adequate controls for food safety are not being reliably implemented in the facility on a consistent basis.” In addition, says the agency, “The company has failed to correct deficiencies previously identified through CFIA inspections.”

Family owned for more than 80 years, Capital Packers produces fresh, cooked smoked and pickled meats under the Capital brand, as well as under the Compliments brand name.

The CFIA says it is investigating whether or not any of the meat products shipped from the plant pose a health risk, particularly related to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Capital Packers has already begun a voluntary recall of its 300-g packages of Capital brand Ham Sausages and 375-g packages of Compliments Ham Sausages.

The Edmonton plant will remain closed until the CFIA has ensured that all corrective actions have been made and that food safety risks are being properly managed.